Let's put the way-back machine back to 1996. Owens was a rookie and with the San Francisco 49ers.

Let's put the way-back machine back to 1996. Owens was a rookie and with the San Francisco 49ers.

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He was an Eagle. Here he is on the sidelines in a game against the Cowboys on Oct. 9, 2005. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

He was an Eagle. Here he is on the sidelines in a game against the Cowboys on Oct. 9, 2005. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Photo: Getty Images

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He was also a Cowboy. If you're an Eagles fan or 49ers fan, having a player join the Cowboys is like changing sides in a war. Here he is against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 20, 2008. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) less

He was also a Cowboy. If you're an Eagles fan or 49ers fan, having a player join the Cowboys is like changing sides in a war. Here he is against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 20, 2008. (Photo by Ronald ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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He played in Buffalo. But baby, it was cold there, as on this day on Jan. 3, 2010 when the Bills hammered the Colts. He is celebrating after the game. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

He played in Buffalo. But baby, it was cold there, as on this day on Jan. 3, 2010 when the Bills hammered the Colts. He is celebrating after the game. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Photo: Rick Stewart / Getty Images

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And that leads us to the Cincinnati Bengas. Here he is against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 5, 2010. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

And that leads us to the Cincinnati Bengas. Here he is against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 5, 2010. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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But that's not all his sports. He tried his hand at the NFL, the indoor league, then the beach league. Here on Feb. 4, 2012, he plays beach ball with Deion Sanders in Indianapolis. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for DirecTV) less

But that's not all his sports. He tried his hand at the NFL, the indoor league, then the beach league. Here on Feb. 4, 2012, he plays beach ball with Deion Sanders in Indianapolis. (Photo by Chris ... more

Photo: Chris Trotman / Getty Images for DirecTV

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The guy, who played college basketball, does have some hops. In February 2009 he won the MVP trophy at the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game. (Photo by Nick Doan/Getty Images)

The guy, who played college basketball, does have some hops. In February 2009 he won the MVP trophy at the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game. (Photo by Nick Doan/Getty Images)

Photo: Nick Doan / Getty Images

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You play well. You get to meet famous people like Ronald McDonald. The clown is on the right, by the way. This is also from the 2009 game. (Photo by Nick Doan/Getty Images)

You play well. You get to meet famous people like Ronald McDonald. The clown is on the right, by the way. This is also from the 2009 game. (Photo by Nick Doan/Getty Images)

Photo: Nick Doan / Getty Images

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Maybe he can wait around for Seattle to get another NBA franchise and help us out. Here he takes it to the hoop in celebrity all-star game in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2010.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Maybe he can wait around for Seattle to get another NBA franchise and help us out. Here he takes it to the hoop in celebrity all-star game in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2010.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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He may play min-golf. That's what it looks like he is doing on Feb. 5, 2010, in Miami. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Tide)

He may play min-golf. That's what it looks like he is doing on Feb. 5, 2010, in Miami. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Tide)

Photo: Rick Diamond / 2010 Getty Images

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Tennis, anyone? At least he is trying it here on Feb. 5, 2010, in Miami Beach. Golf and tennis in one day. We're exhausted. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Tide)

Tennis, anyone? At least he is trying it here on Feb. 5, 2010, in Miami Beach. Golf and tennis in one day. We're exhausted. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Tide)

Photo: Rick Diamond / 2010 Getty Images

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He attempted race-car driving on Sept. 4, 2010, at the Kentucky Indy 300. If he's here next summer, we expect to see him at the controls of a hydro on Lake Washington. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) less

He attempted race-car driving on Sept. 4, 2010, at the Kentucky Indy 300. If he's here next summer, we expect to see him at the controls of a hydro on Lake Washington. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ... more

Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images

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Why is he famous? He can play, but he also can celebrate. Who else would grab pompoms and shake 'em, as he did on Dec. 15, 2002, against the Green Bay Packers? The Packers did win. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) less

Why is he famous? He can play, but he also can celebrate. Who else would grab pompoms and shake 'em, as he did on Dec. 15, 2002, against the Green Bay Packers? The Packers did win. (Photo by Jed ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Then there is the pose: T.O. as statue. Here he does it against the San Diego Charges on Nov. 17, 2002. But the Chargers won in overtime. Are we detecting a pattern here? Owens celebrates; team loses. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) less

Then there is the pose: T.O. as statue. Here he does it against the San Diego Charges on Nov. 17, 2002. But the Chargers won in overtime. Are we detecting a pattern here? Owens celebrates; team loses. (Photo ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Ten years ago, Owens made sure Seahawks fans would never forget him when he pulled a pen out of a sock after scoring a touchdown and signed the football. Oh, the nerve he showed on Oct. 14, 2002. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) less

Ten years ago, Owens made sure Seahawks fans would never forget him when he pulled a pen out of a sock after scoring a touchdown and signed the football. Oh, the nerve he showed on Oct. 14, 2002. (Photo by ... more

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Sometimes, the celebration is simple, as here on Oct. 16, 2006, against the Houston Texans. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sometimes, the celebration is simple, as here on Oct. 16, 2006, against the Houston Texans. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Photo: Getty Images

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This is our favorite. Score a touchdown, then dunk that sucker over the crossbar. He did just that on Nov. 1, 2009, when he played for the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Texans. Houston did win. But hey, this looked good. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) less

This is our favorite. Score a touchdown, then dunk that sucker over the crossbar. He did just that on Nov. 1, 2009, when he played for the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Texans. Houston did win. But hey, ... more

Photo: Rick Stewart / Getty Images

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The fans -- make that some fans -- do love the man. Here a couple throw hugs and kisses his way on Aug. 18, 2007, when he was playing for the Cowboys against the Broncos. (Photo by Dave Einsel/Getty Images)

The fans -- make that some fans -- do love the man. Here a couple throw hugs and kisses his way on Aug. 18, 2007, when he was playing for the Cowboys against the Broncos. (Photo by Dave Einsel/Getty Images)

Photo: Dave Einsel / Getty Images

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Heck, even some fans at away games love him, as happened here on Sept. 7, 2008, as the Cowboys played Cleveland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Heck, even some fans at away games love him, as happened here on Sept. 7, 2008, as the Cowboys played Cleveland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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They loved him in Buffalo, too. This was shot on Aug. 15, 2009. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

They loved him in Buffalo, too. This was shot on Aug. 15, 2009. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Photo: Getty Images

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Not everyone loves him. Even fans for his own team. Back in August 2006, fans at this preseason game in Shreveport, La., weren't too thrilled that Owens was part of America's Team. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) less

Not everyone loves him. Even fans for his own team. Back in August 2006, fans at this preseason game in Shreveport, La., weren't too thrilled that Owens was part of America's Team. (Photo by Ronald ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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But he did have a way of getting even with his foes. Here, he throws a ball against a nasty sign in Cleveland on Oct. 24, 2004. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

But he did have a way of getting even with his foes. Here, he throws a ball against a nasty sign in Cleveland on Oct. 24, 2004. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Photo: Getty Images

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The guy has a way with fashion. He arrived at the 2007 ESPY Awards in Hollywood wearing this Cowboys-inspired jacket back in July 2007. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The guy has a way with fashion. He arrived at the 2007 ESPY Awards in Hollywood wearing this Cowboys-inspired jacket back in July 2007. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Photo: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

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Being T.O. means you belong beautiful people. Here he appears with actress Kate Walsh at the ESPY Awards on July 16, 2008. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Being T.O. means you belong beautiful people. Here he appears with actress Kate Walsh at the ESPY Awards on July 16, 2008. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

What ESPY Awards would be complete without Owens on the red carpet? Here is is with Erin Andrews on July 14, 2010. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

What ESPY Awards would be complete without Owens on the red carpet? Here is is with Erin Andrews on July 14, 2010. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

Photo: Alexandra Wyman / 2010 Getty Images

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Owens, of course, was on stage with Nichollete Sheridan, at the ESPY Awards on July 13, 2005. Why Sheridan? Check the video of the ad at the bottom of the post and recall how it shocked America. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) less

Owens, of course, was on stage with Nichollete Sheridan, at the ESPY Awards on July 13, 2005. Why Sheridan? Check the video of the ad at the bottom of the post and recall how it shocked America. (Photo by ... more

Photo: 2005 Getty Images

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He also gets to hang and greet other jocks. Here he says hello to NBA player Rasheed Wallace at halftime of the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers on June 6, 2010. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) less

He also gets to hang and greet other jocks. Here he says hello to NBA player Rasheed Wallace at halftime of the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers on June 6, 2010. (Photo by Christian ... more

Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

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When you are a big man, you meet The Big Man. Owens says hello to Shaquille O'Neal as they attend NBA All-Star Saturday night on Feb. 19, 2011. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

When you are a big man, you meet The Big Man. Owens says hello to Shaquille O'Neal as they attend NBA All-Star Saturday night on Feb. 19, 2011. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

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If you're going to do a product placement, make the product big and expensive. Here Owens attends the Grey Goose Lounge Series at Super Bowl hosted by the very same T.O. on Feb. 3, 2011, in Dallas. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE) less

If you're going to do a product placement, make the product big and expensive. Here Owens attends the Grey Goose Lounge Series at Super Bowl hosted by the very same T.O. on Feb. 3, 2011, in Dallas. (Photo by ... more

Photo: Charley Gallay / 2011 Getty Images

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Terrell Owens: Living large

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Here is the ad that shocked some people. What it the sex thing? Or the race thing? Or was it both?